The age of an appliance is essential, especially when you are not buying the machine brand-new.
Knowing how old the machine is, helps roughly estimate the appliance’s longevity and functionality.
The age of an appliance works with the type of machine and the care and maintenance the machine receives.
Bosch appliances are widespread across cooking, laundry, dishwashing, and refrigeration. On average, Bosch appliances can last as long as ten to 20 years. So, how do you find their ages?
The easiest way to determine the age of a Bosch appliance is to check the serial number. The serial number of any machine is a string of letters and numbers which contains information. This information includes the model and production date of the machine. Decoding the serial number makes it easy to determine warranties or in case of repairs.
When Was My Bosch Dishwasher Manufactured?
There are two ways to know when your dishwasher was manufactured. The first way is by looking in the instruction manual.
Most instruction manuals have the production date written close to publication. However, if your dishwasher comes with the house or is second-hand, you might not have access to the manual.
In this case, you can consult the serial number, which is usually on the machine’s body. To know the manufacture date of your dishwasher using the serial number, follow these steps.
#1. Locate the Serial Number
To know the serial number, you have to know the location of the number. The serial number is easy to find on Bosch dishwashers. You do not need to turn it upside down.
Once you open the machine door, you will find the number is either written on a label or engraved on a nameplate. This nameplate or label is usually on the side rim or top of the door.
#2. Decode the Serial Number
When you find the nameplate, you will see different numbers, which can be confusing. Two of those numbers start with letters.
The numbers that start with FD are known as the factory date, while the number beside E-Nr is the model number. The serial number is a long string of about 18 numbers.
The Factory Date is a summary of the serial number. The first four FD digits in the first five of the serial number are the true determinant of the machine’s manufacture date.
These numbers are also the first five digits of the serial number. The last six digits of the FD tell the number of the dishwasher in its series.
These last digits are marked as Z-Nr. All Z-Nr numbers except the first digit are in the last six digits of the serial number.
To explain better, let us decode a sample factory date. In this factory date FD9708200430, 9 stands for the decade of production.
With Bosch appliances, nine stands for the decade 2010 to 2019. The next digit, 7, stands for the year in that decade, which translates to 2017. The following numbers 08 represent the month in the production year.
Therefore, according to the decoding process, the manufacturing date of this appliance with this factory date is in August 2017. The Z-Nr number tells the machine’s exact number in its production series.
The first digits identify the assembly line by decoding the Z-Nr number above (200430). Meanwhile, the following five digits tell the dishwasher number in the assembly line.
How Old is My Bosch Appliance by Model Number?
You cannot determine the age of a Bosch appliance by its model number. Instead, this number supplies a different kind of information.
A model number tells you the manufacturer, the type of appliance, and the design. If your machine breaks down, you can use the model number to find a matching part for replacement.
The model number is always on the label or nameplate of any appliance. However, the location of the rating plate can vary depending on the type of appliance.
Below is a table showing different Bosch appliances and the nameplate location.
| Appliance | Location of Nameplate |
|---|---|
| Washing machine | The inner rim of the machine door, back of the filter door, or behind the appliance |
| Dishwasher | The top or side rim of the door |
| Oven | The outer rim of the door |
| Refrigerator/Freezer | Inside wall of the appliance (can be seen when you remove the salad drawers) |
| Kettle | Under the kettle or the electric base |
The locations for other appliances not listed above are somewhat easier to locate.
How to Decode the Model Number of a Bosch Appliance?
The model number of a Bosch appliance usually has ten characters and begins with at least three alphabets.
Each character in the model number represents an important detail. These details can be informative to the extent of telling you the color of the appliance.
The Bosch model number is also called the E-Nr number, which makes it easy to tell apart from other numbers on the nameplate. Let us consider a washing machine with model number WOK24460OE.
If you send this number to a professional, the letter W says the appliance is a washer. The letter O means that the washing machine is a top loader.
This letter can also be A, L, or I. A and L represent front loading machines with 60cm and 45 cm depths, respectively. On the other hand, it means that the washer is a built-in model.
The next character K stands for the series to which the machine belongs. The letter K means the washer is in 4 series.
The series is the same for letters N, T, H, G, or E. 2019 series is represented by V. Washing machines in the 6 series are represented by T and Q, while those in the 8 series are marked by letters S and W.
The first two actual numbers in the model number signify the spin speed. 24 means that the washer has a spin speed of 1200.
If the machine is a smart washer with access to the internet, the letter H replaces the first number. The numbers 20, 28, and 32 represent spin speeds of 1000, 1400, and 1600, respectively.
The following two numbers, 46, indicate the machine’s type of control, while the last number represents the design and sometimes the color of the washer.
Finally, we have the last characters, which are letters. These letters tell the country in which the manufacturing date of the appliance.
The washer considered in our example ends with the OE, which means it was made in Russia. If your machine ends with EE, EU, or GB, the interpretation is that it was made in Spain, Europe, or the UK.
How to Tell the Age of a Bosch Washing Machine?
It is almost effortless to determine the age of a Bosch washing machine. The first step is to locate the rating label or plate.
This plate has three possible locations: the washer door’s inner rim, at the back of the filter door, or behind the washer.
Once you have located the plate, check for the number that starts with FD. To make it easy to decode, you can copy out the number and use the decoding steps explained above.
Alternatively, if your washer is a new purchase, you can use the owner’s manual and check for the production date.
How to Tell the Age of a Bosch Dishwasher?
The steps to knowing how old your dishwasher is are easy to follow. Find the nameplate and decode the factory date number.
If you do not want to have to decode the numbers yourself, there is a better alternative. You can go online and consult with a Bosch appliance assistant. With this method, you can get more information about your appliance.
For example, you can get explanations for confusing areas in your instruction manual. The assistant can also advise you on how best to maintain your appliance.
How Long Do Bosch Appliances Last?
Being a quality brand, all Bosch appliances are known to be long-lasting. Although, you should note that the longevity of:
| Bosch Appliance | Average Lifespan |
|---|---|
| Refrigerator/Freezer | 14 – 19 years |
| Oven/Stove | 10 – 16 years |
| Washing machine | 10 – 14 years |
| Dryer | 10 -13 years |
| Microwave | 7 – 10 years |
| Dishwasher | 7 – 12 years |
Conclusion
The age of any appliance plays a significant role in determining if you should buy it and its proposed longevity.
However, you cannot rely on the quality or brand of the appliance alone. Therefore, it would be best if you endeavored to practice good maintenance techniques on all your appliances.
Doing this will ensure your machines last long and is also cost-effective.
